Monday, September 30, 2019

Personal Learning

FAFM :Personal Learning Paper FAFM :Personal Learning Paper: SESSIONS : 28 DATE : 15. 11. 12- 01. 02. 13 Learning’s From FAFM: * 1st Class starts with ice breaking and course plan for upcoming session * Infosys annual report – How to read the annual report * Compare with previous year annual report – percentage change year by year. * Auditor report – is the annual report is as per AS and rules followed as per standards * Corporate governance – meetings attended by directors and maintenance of records * Notes on accounts – brief about the content in the balance sheet * Market share – value of a company in the market CXO Duties – which includes CEO, CFO, CMO * How to compare with other companies and to relate with market * And also saw the annual report of RIL , ITC , TATA Motors * Introduction to Financial analysis * How to do financial analysis * Tools and Techniques * Case Discussion * Gemini Electronics * Cash Flow Statement à ¢â‚¬â€œ will show the liquidity of the flow of cash in a company * Operating Activities – what are all the expenses will come under this, for selling , distributing etc. , * Investing Activities – what are all the expenses will come under this, investment in other companies or shares etc. * Financing Activities – what are all the expenses will come under this, dividends etc * Cash inflow and out flow * How an Income statement and Balance sheet differs from Cash Flow Statement * Lehman Brother Company * Movie about the company * About Lehman Brother company * Bankruptcy Identification * Ratios – solvency ratio, liquidity ratio, efficiency ratio, profitability ratio * Horizontal & vertical Analysis of Balance sheet and Income statement – how to compare and contrast the given numbers * Z – score calculation and analysis Cariboo Industrial ltd * Corporate Fraud * Z- score – to predict the value of the company in future as it will sustain in the market financially or not. * Liquidation and valuation * Financial Statement audit * Thaifoon Restaurant * Projected Income statement – assumption of future income or revenue * Projected Balance sheet – it consist of all except the net profit as it is full of assumptions * Seating arrangements – slightly operations related * Decision making – critical thinking of mind to go with or to drop it * Sales projection Financial Mathematics * EMI Calculation – monthly interest and principle payment. Principle rate will increase & interest will get decreased. * EPS calculation * Intrinsic Value – Future value of market price of a company * Bond Valuation * Simple Interest & Compound Interest Calculation * Financial Markets * Indian Financial System – full chart with sector wise divided. * Stock Markets * Case: Motilal Oswal IPO Case * Learn about IPO- what will be the companies value to enter into ipo.How the decision is taken * private equity shares, IPO basics & need, fixed price offer & basics of book building process * Book building process: Cut off price, method of Dutch auction, RII, NII, QII, over subscription, case – Midfield Industries Ltd, ASBA, prospectus, offer and private placement * Primary Market – New issue of shares in the market * Secondary Market – Buying & selling of shares * Under & over subscription – where the subscription of share is high or low * Stock Markets – functions of SEBI , RBI , BSE , NSE.Also learn about various stock markets in other countries * Sensex , Nifty , Otci – orgin , sustain , end of otci * Demat account * Difference between equity share and preference share * 24hrs market – ends in one country and the market starts in other country * Commercial papers * Treasury bills – pledged for money * Money Market: Harshad Mehta scam, various scams in Indian financial history, organized & unorganized money markets and treasu ry bills & its types * Case: Harshad Mehta Scam * Learn about there will not be any scam in share market. What are the tactics played to hike the price * How a person can be countered by his competitors * How big shots help them to play in market and earn money * Money Market: Commercial papers, call money market, certificate of deposits, derivatives – financial & commodities, players, forward & future contract, premium, strike price, strike data and call & put option * Forex Market: Indian forex market, features, settlement of transaction, quotations, types of transactions, factors determining exchange rate * Finally the course has been completed with how to present in the examAdditional Learning’s * Daily Business Quiz * News paper reading – make me to know some new departments process and valuation * Mini Projects for marketing * Know about DBF * IRDA * BAT

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Ancient Art

Panel of Lions- Chauvet Caves Queen Nefertari Art history is a record of how people in the past lived, felt, and acted; it allows us a glimpse of a long ago deceased culture. To look at Ancient Greek art is to realize the importance and accomplishments of human beings. Though the Greeks used art to honor the Gods, it was those same Gods that were created in human image. Even their sculpture, pottery, and temples, were created under the fundamental principle of ar ©te, meaning to reach one's fullest potential. Without Rome's influence, we would not have concrete or the Pantheon, which is still in use today.While more secular and utilitarian in form, the Romans developed the use of the arch, the vault, and the dome, leading for a much grander form of architecture. From the Greeks example, the Romans developed mosaic decorations, which became a very important aspect of patrician domestic decoration. The Paleolithic Period is referred to as the Stone Age, mainly because stone artifacts are the only artifacts that have survived. In Paleolithic paintings, the images of humans rarely appear and when they do they are more simplified and abstract than the images of animals, which portray an expressive naturalism.Discovered by three cave explorers in 1994, the Chauvet Caves, located in the Ardeche region of Southern France date back to around 30,000 BC. The most famous cave findings in the world, this Pont d' Arc find holds the oldest known paintings. Painted in charcoal and earthen pigments, lifelike images of horses, rhinoceroses, tigers, and other animals that long ago became extinct show us what life was like for our ancestors. It has long been the belief of scholars that the purpose behind this naturalistic art was to bring the spirit of the animals into the rituals of the hunt.It is believed that he Chauvet Caves were used as a sanctuary where the Paleolithic people initiated their youth in ceremonies. This theory is based on both symbolic and metaphysical associ ations with the animals portrayed in these ancient cave paintings. The Chauvet Cave features a coveted scene of a pride of lions hunting together for bison; as this was a permanent place of inhabitation for man, this art represents a level of development for mankind. Chauvet Caves is divided into two parts. While the first part is mainly red images with some black imagery, the second part is mainly black images of animals.Along with the pride of lions is a painting of three horses More than 60% of the animals identified at Chauvet-Pont-d'-Arc were considered dangerous mammoth animals. These animals represent the animals that primitive man hunted at the time. It is surprising the amount of shading and perspective that went into the creation of these cave creations. These refinements contrast greatly with the images we are used to seeing. Egypt, known for such mesmerizing works as The Great Pyramids, had deserts on both sides of the Nile.Because of this, Egypt remained relatively unsc athed from utside influence for 2,500 years, leading to their own distinctive style of architecture, painting, and sculpture. While their religious belief focused largely on life after death, care and preservation of the body was essential for extending life beyond the grave. â€Å"Upon death, bodies of royalty and nobility were embalmed; together with accompanying artifacts, tools, and furniture, they were then buried in pyramids or in hidden underground tombs. Architects put great effort into funerary structures. As a result, most of what we know about ancient Egypt comes from such tombs†.Frank, 2010). Nefertari's tomb is considered to be one of the best preserved, most eloquent paintings of any Egyptian burial site. Discovered in 1904 by archaeologist Ernesto Schiaparelli, he spent two years excavating both this site and other sites around the Valley of the Queens with limited success. Humanity and humidity, mixed with landslides and salt deposits, had left the tomb in dep lorable condition. In 1986, the Ministry of Culture and the Egyptian Antiquities Organization in Cooperation with Getty Conservation Institute were determined to complete restore Queen Nefertari's tomb.Queen Nefertari was believed to be King Ramesses II's favorite wife, and as such, he commissioned a beautifully painted tomb in a small rock-cut temple for her to be placed next to his own. It was located in the Valley of the Queens, which is located in Thebes. Reigning during the 19th Egyptian Dynasty, the queen's tomb consisted of several rooms and hallways with paintings of Queen Nefertari in various positions doing many different things. At the entrance is a depiction of a sun between Isis and Nephythys, which leads into an offering hall, with several paintings that show the Queen in worship and offering items to different Gods.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Love: The Universal Constant

Some say that the idea of love in modern terms differs conceptually from that of earlier periods. That argument is demonstrably false. Although love has been characterized In many different ways throughout the ages, the fundamental Idea remains constant. No matter the eccentric personalities love Is entitled to, love Is what It Is. From a literary point of view, whether one reads the tender longing of Shop, the unattainable desire of Patriarch, or the whimsical prose of Dickinson, the message of love– despite its myriad of forms–remains the same.The concept of love particular to the piece of writing is equally a study of psychology, sociology and anthropology as it is a literary endeavor. As readers of literature, we do not learn anything intrinsically controversial about love across eras, but rather translate the timeless message of the many facets of love into literature and interpret its significance. The idea (or theme) of love does not change from text to text rega rdless of era, but rather has new traits tacked on as time progresses.In her poem Rich-dethroned Immortal Aphrodite, Shop describes an insatiable desire or a woman, the pain of her refusal, and the dejected plea for release from the obsessive pursuit. Love struck, Shop begs Aphrodite to make the woman hers. Shop can only imagine the unbearable pain and sickness of a crushed heart if otherwise. In another poem, He looks to me to be in heaven, Shop overwhelms readers with feelings that resemble butterflies in the stomach.The narrator of the poem has fallen in love with someone who â€Å"makes the heart leap in my breast;' for watching you a moment, speech fails me,† My tongue is paralyzed, at once a light fire nuns beneath my skin, [my eyes are blinded, and my ears drumming. † The concept of obsessive love Is again Illustrated Is James Jockey's poem Arab. The mall character seeks to profess his love to a young girl whom he has clearly fallen head over heels for. The loves ick lad claims that â€Å"a flood from my heart seemed to pour itself out into mossy. ,' I thought little of the future. I did not know whether I would ever speak to her or not org if I spoke to her, how I could tell her of my confused adoration. ‘ But my body was like a harp/ and her words and gestures were eke fingers running upon the wires. † Similar to obsessive love, literature about love that is lost is just as timeless. The melancholy that pervades the text is palpable in Counted Culler's The Loss of Love. For example, the final lines: â€Å"l have no will to weep or sing,' No desire to pray or curse;' The loss of love Is a terrible thing,†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ They Ill who say that death Is worse. Simultaneously, In Patriarch's Canceller, Patriarch mourns the loss of his Laura. The unmistakable and undeniable sensation of loss and hopelessness is evident in both laddered, uncensored my life/ is totally, that night and day it weeps J weary without a helm in stormy seas/ on a dubious course with no true guide. † Then, there was Shakespearean Sonnet 57 that conveyed the realization that a fool in love is no more than a willing slave. The willing unwillingness of the speaker's love makes one marvel at the truth of its depiction and at the tortured psychology which forces loved into the anguish of such impossible situations. Being your slave, what should I do but tend. ‘ Upon the hours and times of your desire? I have no precious time to spend,] Nor services to do, till you require. /†¦. But, like a sad slave, stay and think enough/ Save, where you are how happy you make those. ‘ So true a fool is love that in you will,] Though you do any thing, he thinks no ill. Almost half a millennium later, Emily Dickinson poem To lose thee moves readers with the same flooding emotions of a helpless lover. â€Å"To lose thee, sweeter than to gain/ All other hearts I knew. ‘ is true the drought is destitute/ But then I had the dew!The Caspian has its realms of sand,] Its other realm of sea;' Without the sterile perquisite/ No Caspian could be. So we see, love is an ageless universal constant. The powerful emotions invoked by love obviously reveal no discernible difference in the impact it has had, regardless of when the work was composed. Because there is a certain knowledge that love is enduring through the centuries with all its accompanying emotions and crossing of philosophical and religious boundaries, there is nothing really to be â€Å"conjured† about love, but only added factors that are â€Å"discovered. â€Å"

Friday, September 27, 2019

Social Class in the US Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social Class in the US - Assignment Example However, as can be gleaned from the lessons and insights provided by the materials in Chapter 8, the belief that the US is the land of opportunity is all but a myth. For, while thousands of opportunities are available for everyone interested, factors like language, educational and cultural factors can severely impede immigrants’ success, including those with professional credentials which they earned from their own homelands. Sawhill, Isabel (2006) in a Policy Brief stated that while the US economy performed well, most of the benefits of such success were reaped by those at half top of the income distribution strata, especially those at the top one percent (or those with income of more than about $400,000 in 2006). Society, stressing that it takes at least five generations to totally free one from circumstances of birth or family background. Sawhill adds that as the gap widens among the income levels or groups, it has become harder for people to move up, as the topmost of the ladder becomes more and more solid and strong, accumulating more and more wealth. Immigrants, illegal or otherwise, represent cheap, reliable labor for the American businesses. The documented and legal immigrants mostly have no education or reached only high school level, which makes it harder for them to land on high-paying jobs. Even their children tend to not continue to go to school but instead engage in jobs to augment their families’ incomes. Education, they say, is the great leveler. However, the US does not provide equal access to quality education to its people. Majority of the immigrants’ kids go to public schools which are below par the other schools across the nation. Even the funding for Bilingual Education has been debated upon, most probably towards its abolition. It is therefore no wonder that recent trends had been that these immigrants are going back to their homes, primarily to seek better opportunities

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Marketing Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Marketing Plan - Research Paper Example Satellite television has premium charges and many people cannot afford its charges. The Beat Broadcasting Network realized this and decided to proceed with the cable television. In so doing it came up with a product service called biTV: which is internet Television and has drawn up a marketing plan to facilitate the implementation of the service to many of its subscribers. Executive Summary of Marketing Plan The Beat Broadcasting Network is an international media company based in America that specializes in cable-based television broadcasting. Through a comprehensive market research the company has realized the importance of cable television especially to the upcoming markets in other continents such as Africa. The company has decided to launch a new television service in the market called the biTV service. This is internet television that is aimed at providing flexible content and affordable prices to the company’s subscribers. Viewers will subscribe to the service and depend ing on the duration of their subscription will access various contents and channels that will be streamed directly to their home Television or PC as long as they are connected to the internet. The purpose of this service is to maximize on sales and profits and to penetrate other continents that the company is yet to make a huge impact. The pricing will be low and this is aimed at getting more people to identify with the company and secondly because the target population is the young generation that are still unstable financially. This service aims at changing the state of the internet television in the market by providing flexible coverage and content to everyone at affordable prices. Company Overview Beat TV was launched in in 1996 as the fifth cable television provider. The company was established from a sister company named The Beat News Network that has a global coverage. This company is owned by two American brothers and renowned journalists who began it to provide entertainmen t and maximize on advertisements in the industry. The Beat Television network has many affiliates and these operate many entertainment channels internationally, broadcasting programs in the US and in local countries. The company was rated as one of the best cable TV in a survey covering people aged between 16 and 49 coming second to Fox TV. It became popular because of its programs that majorly target the young generation producing content that the youths easily identify with and a wide range of other programs that cover a majority of the age groups unlike other cable television networks. The company is fifteen years old and enjoys coverage globally targeting the young and the middle age group in America and the rest of the world. Company has no partnerships but enjoys the coverage of the parent company, The Beat Broadcasting Network that has always supported its marketing activities, though not all activities that are aired by the beat Network are aired by the Beat Television. Rece nt successes in entering the African market have given it a big boost keeping in mind that most American Television networks operate in Europe and Asia. It has partnered with local television networks to air content both local and foreign especially movies and series. The company’s total revenue increased from 1.5 billion in 2009 to 1.8 billion in 2010 representing a 16 percent increase in revenue. This was attributed to the expansion in the African markets and the

Personal Ethics Development Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Personal Ethics Development - Research Paper Example Ethics of a person is developed from a tender age. Majority of people learn about ethical behavior from home, school, and church among other institutions. In addition, a person’s ethical conduct also developed through the people that exist in the life of a person. Ethical behavior is developed at childhood. Nonetheless, ethical behavior keeps on developing as a person’s matures (Trevino & Nelson, 2007). The behavior I came to adapt is the normative ethics. This kind of ethical behavior assisted in my decision making in addition, through ethical conduct I could differentiate between right and wrong. Throughout my life, normative, ethical conduct has been my foundation and it has assisted in my growth and development. Normative ethics is more practical and assist in enhancing moral standards and norms. In addition, through normative ethics one is able to differentiate between right and wrong. Good habits and appropriate moral behavior also enhanced by normative, ethical c onduct. In addition, normative, ethical behavior also teaches a person that every moral behavior followed by consequences of the action (Trevino & Nelson, 2007). Therefore, both the negatives and the positives moral conduct have their impacts in life. I am more of a practical person and this kind of ethics has been my foundation for years. My self-esteem and moral conduct throughout my life have been guided by normative, moral behavior. I have encountered people with different moral values and principles depending on where the person came from and the people involved in the person’s life. My parents and the spiritual leaders in the church are the people involved in building my ethical system. My parents were authoritative, and they advised me to lead by example. Further, they taught me not everyone is perfect in life; nonetheless, living in a manner that portrayed respectful behavior in front of people should be my priority. In addition, I was advised to behave in accordance to the wishes of Christ. In church, my spiritual leaders would advise the entire congregation, and I â€Å"to practice what we preach†. They recommend the phrase often because they believed ethical conduct could be enhanced through the phrase. Nonetheless, the behavior of the churchgoers surprised me. I did not comprehend their behavior, on Sunday, they would be polite and welcoming, but during the week, they would portray a very different behavior. My parents taught me otherwise and told me living by example should be my priority. Therefore, as I grew I ensured my words and actions were similar. My ethical conduct was significant in my life, behaving according to social norms and beliefs were my priority. Another motivator to my ethical conduct was the bible. I applied the word of God in my daily life incorporated by normative ethical system; therefore, improving my conduct around people and making a wise decision when need arises. Through the bible, I learnt a number of thi ngs that could shape my ethical conduct, in addition, my decision-making criteria also enhanced by the bible. In my development of ethical conduct, I also made mistakes that assisted in shaping me up. When I was a teenager, I made a mistake of going out with my friends without the permission of my parents. I was curious about what people did when they were out, and the only

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Economic efficiency of green buildings Dissertation

Economic efficiency of green buildings - Dissertation Example Furthermore there is a growing awareness regarding the various ways in which sustainable practices can be incorporated within the industry such as the ‘green rating’ systems for buildings incorporated by governments of various nations, as well as industry wide practices. Such ratings help in measuring the carbon footprints of buildings, and thus provide the owners with detailed information and statistics, which can be used by them as a basis / foundation for implementing suitable changes. However, despite the growing awareness and information regarding the impact of current non-sustainable practices within this industry, on the environment, and the subsequent development of government imposed or industry led practices of rating systems, the success has been relatively lower than expected. This is because, most of the real estate developers and other institutional investors, are skeptical regarding the profits or benefits to them, on adoption and implementation of environ mentally friendly practices, since most of the evidence regarding this subject is, so far, highly anecdotal (Eichholtz, Kok,2009). ... However, the lack of enthusiasm within the industry or reluctance to implement the green initiatives is largely on account of the contradictions present in the literature and differing views and opinion of experts, regarding the credibility of the issue. There is an ongoing debate within the industry regarding the greenhouse effect of buildings, where deciding whether it is a market-driven approach, or a mandatory environmental regulation imposed by government, for various purposes is relatively difficult. One such example of government imposed obligation is the public display and/ or sharing of Energy Performance Certificates by buildings in accordance with the EU directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (Fuerst, McAllister, 2008). Furthermore another reason for the lack of acceptance and implementation of green measures within this industry is the fact that there is a sever lack of understanding among the appraisers who are significantly conservative with regard to their ap proaches and business practices, and display a severe lack of training and knowledge regarding the consequences of non acceptance of environmentally friendly practices such as the use of cooling systems, and better air flow or use of environmentally friendly materials for construction etc among others. However, with the growing literature regarding the harmful side effects and the possible benefits of using environmentally friendly practices, is likely to bring about positive changes within the industry (Fuerst, McAllister, 2008). It has been increasingly established through research that the greener buildings are more likely as compared to their counterparts, to retain more value. This is evident from the fact that many of

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Challenges facing ESL - High School students in acquisition of writing Essay

Challenges facing ESL - High School students in acquisition of writing and communication skills - Essay Example Challenges facing ESL- High School students in acquisition of writing and communication skills Challenges faced by ESL students differ depending on the above listed classification. The immigrants are considered to be likely to experience least amount of challenges because they have already received formal education in their native countries that included learning English as a foreign language. They usually visit English speaking countries out of their own personal choices hence more prepared for the challenges ahead. In most cases, they have decent family background marked by intact family units and financial stability. Despite these factors, such students still face challenges such as difficulties in adapting to the new culture, conflict of cultures in terms of what is learnt at home and what is learnt at the new school, varying abilities in the understanding of the English language and conflict in terms of what s learnt and practiced at home and the nee foreign schools. International students are characterized by the fact that they are in foreign schools for purpose of pursuing their studies on a temporary basis. They are driven by the passion to learn English and get integrated into the new culture. In most cases, they have already studied English as foreign language at their lower levels of study in their countries of origin and are usually well educated in other spheres of life.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Process Architectural Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Process Architectural Design - Essay Example The essay discusses that the fire and security monitoring system is meant to manage, and to monitor the fire security alarms in a building. In order to best understand how this system works, it is only prudent to define its design both in terms of the software and the hardware components that it is made up of; we have to know how the systems components relate to each other and functions of every component involved in the working of the whole system that is controlled from the central point of security monitoring. When designing the system, we assumed that the system acts in real time and does not respond on false alarms. A large building requires an automated alarm system to monitor and control all fire and security alarms within the building. The building is sub-divided into zones, and a given number of alarms are associated with each zone. Alert for a central manned control area is provided by the alarm. This centre may may respond personally or pass these on to the emergency servi ces. Automated alarm system helps recognizing the risk and allows quick response. Fire and security alarm systems are often active to ensure that whenever there is a fire, the presence of the fire is immediately established and reported through the interactions of the software and hardware components of the whole system. The software components of the system work to manage the various different hardware components, which are associated with the alarm, which is installed to notify the necessary authorities to go to the attention of the fire and put it off. In modern equipped facilities, and in modern buildings, fire alarm and security systems are always associated with the whole security systems of the buildings. These systems work in tandem with them most of the time (Robinson 2009). This interaction is necessary to ensure that catastrophes do not happen; or in any case, they do happen, they can be attended to in due time. When a fire starts in such a building, one of the hardware c omponents detects it through one way or another as will be discussed later on in this document. The component coordinates with another component in the system to notify or to activate something or an action of the surveillance system and even the security system. In a typical fire and security alarm system, components are installed in such a way that they are according to the specifications of the devices and make it easy to access them when the need arises (Robinson 2009). The hardware components that have to be in a fire alarm and security system include: 1. The control system – this is the central component of the entire fire alarm system. It is known as the fire alarm central. This component allows for the precise programming of the manner in which the other individual components behave, hence the behavior of the entire system can also be programmed. This makes sure that notification come in at the precise time and accurately as possible in case of an event. The fire alar m central has points of input; with which it receives signals from the devices that initiate notifications, as well as points of exit; that it uses to activate alarm systems. 2. The initiating and the alarm devices – the initiating devices can be automatic as smoke/fire detectors or can alternatively be manually actuated to notify the central. 3. The power supply and the cabling – it is critical to have a very reliable power supply for a fire and security system so that it remains on at all times. Power back up systems must be installed just in case the main power systems fail. The signal cables are the ones that make the connection and links between each and

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Quantitative marketing research Essay Example for Free

Quantitative marketing research Essay A. Market study The researchers used descriptive method because the sudy needs detailed analysis and understanding of the proposed business. Survey questionnaires served as the research instrument in gathering information about the needs and wants of the target market so that demand and supply will be determined and analysed. The result of the survey will determine the feasibility of the proposed business. The researchers will make use of questionnaires that will be give to random by chosen respondents. The respondents of the study are the students of Saint Columban College. The researcher will use random sampling, by which random students is given an equal chance to be chosen as respondents. The survey questionnaire will be distributed to the students and they will be interviewed for further acquisition of significant information. In gathering data, the researchers will use the survey method by distributing the questionnaires in the main entrance, exit, and in the campus of Saint Columban College. The survey questionnaire will be submitted to the experts for validity and reliability purposes. After gathering all the data from the respondents, the researchers will tally the results and the total responses will be tabulated. The data will be interpreted and analysed to serve as the basis of the feasibility of the pizza haus. B. Human Resource Study The researcher will conduct a personal interview as an instrument of gathering data. The researcher proposed the type of ownership which is sole proprietorship for this type of organization. The company’s identification name and its structure were determined through sharing of ideas, opinions and suggestions by the researchers. The researchers will visit the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for personal interview about the labor laws in the Philippines that must be observed in hiring employees, the right compensation of the employees, proper handling of employees and establishing operating policies. The researchers will also visit other business to gather information in recruiting personnel in the creation of organizational structure, the researchers will make use of their ideas and knowledge that they learned from human resource management. C. Socio-Economic Study The researcher will conduct personal interview to catch a relevant information for the socio-economic study. The researcher will visit the local government to gather information about the unemployment rate of Pagadian City and what would be the effect if this proposed business will be established in the community. D. Environmental study In this study, the researchers will take precautionary actions in the proper disposal of waste and the list of the possible effects or the impact of the business to the environment. The researchers will conduct personal interview to the local government officials to gather suggestions and idea on proper disposal of wastes created by JAS Pizza Haus. Also with respect of the Law, the proposed business will take some precautionary actions with the legal documents that is required to establish this business. E. Technical Study In this study, the researchers will use a set of questionnaires in order to gather information. The questions will be focusing on the suppliers for the operation of the business. The group will go to Pagadian City to visit the area and to inquire for a vacant space outside Saint Columban College campus for the location of the Pizza Haus. The researchers will also visit a pizza parlor to consult and inquire for the equipment needed for baking a pizza, the suppliers of the pizza ingredients especially the dough and the service processes of the business. Also, the group will canvass the prices of the plastic chairs and tables from plastic wares store, and lastly, the group will talk to the owner of the space’s terms and conditions in renting. F. Financial Study The researchers will conduct a personal interview from our adviser of this study and also from the CPAs for the means of gathering information of how much will be the capital needed for this proposed, and this capital will be taken from the investment of our proponent. Questions will focus on how much will be the cost of purchasing of those needed materials. The researchers will compute it properly to know the estimated budget for the overall initial investment of the proposed business.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

International Business Between Japan And Germany Management Essay

International Business Between Japan And Germany Management Essay Our firm is globalizing to create more unified production and marketing organizations which more effectively utilizes the comparatively advantages and taking over of our competitor in the German market. However, to capitalize on the rapid expanding markets that the company has just possessed in the German market, there is the need for us to manage the cultural diversity between our Japanese managers and the German workforce environment. There is the need for the company to give a keen concern to this issue as in many cases, the inability to manage cultural differences often result to a serious impediment to business success. Managing a company of different cultural diversity is, in fact, a prerequisite to taking full advantage of firm and its host country strength. I am to use two general approaches which are the communication mode (cultural distance) and Blaus theory of social integration (social contact in the three core departments). This is to assess how staffing practices would improve the firms performance by increasing their interpersonal contact nationalities at various department levels. Culture is the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions and all other products of human work and thought, (the free Dictionary, 2010). Culture is what helps us to organize our world and to know how to respond to it in return both in our lives, social groups and work place. This can be done by learning from friends and relatives, teachers, and by ourselves (observation). People who are from different cultures have lived in a different part of the world and have experienced different societies or participated in different institutions (corporations, schools and others), this is applicable to the Japanese managers who will be managing the German company, they have learnt from different values, beliefs, behaviors, expectations and norms compared to the German workforce. Cultural Differences between Japan and Germany in Their Workforce The forms of leadership and personality are many and are different, but the core values and directions to be used are: Power Distance: This is the extent to which less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally (Hofstede, 1998). The inequality distribution of power is manifested in certain administrative policies and procedures engaged in different organizations and working environments and in the assessment of the accuracy or aptness of such decisions in terms of their organizational goals. This is the degree of inequality that the population of a country considers as normal. The Japanese are known to have a medium (54%) power distance, they are deeply entrenched into culture and tradition and they also adopt a passive work culture. Their workers are expected to respect and obey their boss. These leaders tend to respond to their subordinates with highly paternalistic attitudes that lead to an extremely hierarchical and rigid organizational environment. The superlative model is traced to come from their early village leaders who were skillfully unassertive, led by implicit compromise, nonverbal communication and indirect discussions. This is the same with their organizational leaders today, where the subordinates are meant to be at work before their boss and leave after their boss; they are even apologetic when they leave the work place before their co-workers (Buzzle.com, 2010). The Germans are known to have the lowest power distance of 36%. This measures the extent to which the less powerful members accept that power is distributed unequally in the German institutions and organizations. This implies that Germany is a decentralized society, relatively flatter organizational structures and a comparatively smaller proportion of superiors. Their workers are remarkably loyal to their companies in the sense of organizational confidentiality. The Individualism Collectivism: This is the measurement of the ability to live in groups or to choose an individual path, not minding what the group or the community would be thinking or doing. In this value, the individual achievement is highly esteemed. The Japaneses Individualism is rated to be at a medium range of (46%) due to the sempai-kohai mentor relationship between the managers and their subordinates. The managers are expected to be part of and involved in the personal life of their subordinates, this will be as a result of their close personal bond relationship. Importance on equality of all group members also supports group harmony. This is usually considered more important than overall productivity. Individuals are not singled out for appraisal or criticism, but it is usually directed at the groups. The German individualism is measured to be 67% which is higher than that of Japan. It is all about the tendency of people looking after themselves and their immediate families only and not allowing other peoples faring to be their priority. They prefer to shoulder their personal responsibility by themselves (independent). At work place, the Germans prefer to achieve their job goals with a joint effort and negotiation decisions are often referred to committees. In business situations, shaking hands at the beginning of the meeting and at the end is seen to be necessary. The handshake is to be accompanied with a slight bow with eye contact reciprocal nodding to make a good impression especially with a superior, as failure to do that would result to a bad start. Masculinity: This is seen as the degree to which tough values like boldness performance, success and competition prevails over quality of life while maintaining a warm personal relationship, service and caring for the weak and solidarity. The Japanese are known to be the most masculine society in the world; they are rated to be 95%. They believe in achievement, expansion, wealth and survival of the fittest. They see manufacturing and business to be more important than arts and healing. They give priority to successive entrepreneur, and longer working hours than holidays. Their business culture is known to be men oriented and workplaces are often autocratic. The Germans are known to rate 66% on masculinity, the characteristics of their cultural success are known to be money and material possession from the dominant values in the society. From the Hofstedes model, the Germans place a greater value on their earnings, recognition, advancement and challenges. Uncertainty Avoidance: This is the degree to which the people in a county prefer structure over unstructured situations. Long-term against short-term orientation: the long-term values are oriented towards the future, like prudence and diligence. The short-term values oriented towards the past and present, like respect for institution and social obligations. Issues that are Bound to Arise for the Japanese Managers in the Acquired in Germany As foreign managers that would be responsible for the coordinating of the human resources, finance and marketing departments, there are bound to be some issues that would arise in the managing process. Amongst these issues are: Managing Cultural Differences in the Human Resources Department The Role and Status of the HR Managers: there will be the possibilities of experiencing a social hierarchy which can cause communication bumps in the department. For example, the Japanese managers would think it is alright to place the women as subordinate to men by giving the men a superior role. This would be seen as a bias treatment by the women as it is not done that way in the German workforce. However, the German subordinate staff might be expecting the Japanese managers to maintain eye contacts while addressing or communicating with them as it is their way of life to communicate while looking at each others eyes and nodding their heads to indicate an agreement to the discussion. This is as in the case of Individualism versus collectivism theory which centers on individual rights and values being dominant or subordinate to those of the collective society (international Business assignment slide, 2010). Another example is the manager cracking jokes during interviews, inductions, and meetings as they may feel it is an eye breaker to ease tension and to keep their subordinates relaxed, but the Germans take their meetings very serious and would take the Japanese managers to be unserious and insulting for a mere joke during periods. Emotional Culture versus Neutral Culture: which is a culture where emotions are expressed openly and naturally. An instance is when the men innocently try to interact with the women in the workplace, such women can feel uncomfortable or violated in some way. In contrast, the German men who their emotions are being held in-check may not adapt well to working equally with the Japanese female staff or having female as their manager due to their (Japanese) openly emotional expression. Understanding the interaction between sexes and the roles assigned in various cultures is important. Personal Space during Interviews and Meetings: Germans typically prefer to stand about six inch apart when conversing, though this might not be a very big issue for the foreign managers, but there is the need for the nuances in personal space to be emphasized as it can help communication tremendously. Remuneration differences: the Germans get better pay package to the Japanese, this could be a big bonus for the Japanese managers as their wages would be better than their initial take home packages and they would be treated as expatriates which would make them feel encouraged due to the benefits that would be attached to their position. Managing Cultural Differences in the Marketing Department The Role and Status of the Marketing Managers: it is the duty of the marketing manager to sort for different strategies on how to attract more customers through advertising, pricing and branding as can be seen in the appendix A. However, the choices that would be offered to the customers would depend on the marketing manager of the firm as in the appendix B. The cultural differences may ruin the marketing process as the Japanese managers may apply their own marketing cultural system in the areas of product attributes knowing that products only sell well when their attributes matches the consumers needs and the distribution strategy as this might not yield to the expected result of the company. Communication Strategy: the means through the company ideas would be communicated to their targeted markets might have some huddles as this would include body language, speech and pictures speaks a lot, but it can also be interpreted differently especially having to do with two different cultures. Averted eyes are a sign of respect to the Japanese which the managers might be using; the Germans may misinterpret it to be something else. However, the Germans uses handshakes to bond agreements which the Japanese managers may not feel comfortable with, but rather they would prefer bowing and the Germans might find that to be funny. The Japanese manager may view this as lack of respect or ignorance. Economic Development: the marketing managers may apply a lower product standard to the manufactured cars which might have a negative response from the consumers knowing that consumer behavior is highly influenced by the economic development (high technological standard). However, consumers in highly developed countries like Germany tend to demand extra performance attributes in their cars not regarding the pricing factors. In this case, product reliability is highly recommended for the German market. Personal Appearance: The Japanese might want to remain true to their beliefs by dressing in their traditional attire to work. The Germans may view this as inappropriate or unprofessional for a business environment. Religion: Religion dominates life in a way that is often difficult for the Germans to understand. The Japanese celebrates their new year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) in a very big way. Most businesses are usually shut down for almost a week during this period which the Germans may view it to be mixing pleasure with business. These differences need to be respected, where possible, and not ignored (Japan-guide.com, 2010). Managing Cultural Differences in the Finance Department The Role and Status of the Finance Managers: Accounting has its own business communication language which varies from country to country. The use of the Japanese financial standard may result to confusion in the finance department during auditing as it is possible for countries with a lower uncertainty avoidance cultures to depend on the professionalism of auditing system of another country with a better experience. However, it is the introduction of the International Accounting Standard Board that would be suitable for the management to use in order to prevent cultural financial differences. The Lack of Comparability of Financial Report: Due to the national differences in the accounting and auditing standard, the Japanese managers may find it difficult to interpret and understand the Germans financial standard and it is the introduction of transnational investment and the transnational financial report that would be suitable for the finance depart that would be made up of two or more different cultural backgrounds. Investment Decisions in the Finance Department: The cultural differences in the department can result to the manager using the Japanese ideas to strategize the different sectors to invest on. This might back-fire as the German market is different from that of the Japaneses and what is working their economy might not work for the German market. However, the use of capital budgeting with the assistance of a local staff would be a solution to this issue as it can be complicated when it comes to international differences. Currencies Differences: This will give the foreign managers a tough time for a while to know the different denominations of the German currencies and would be time taking during the conversion of the currencies. Another issue might be the use of the debt financing method which is mostly common in the Japanese financial institution and this is not common in the German financial system. However, it is quite impossible to identify all of the potential cultural differences. Therefore, many resources are available to help the both parties learn more about each others cultures if they are so inclined. Workers might act like they understand what the managers would say, but in fact, may not know. This can be dangerous. An example is a business journal article on the rising number of Hispanic workers in Charlotte-Mecklenburgs construction industry. It points out how workers who speaks little English were at risk of having accident on their job because of not having enough grasp of safety standards. In the case of this issue, on-site training can be organize with the help of interpreters to ensure that a clear and complete understanding is achieved at the industry in Germany. Recommendations on How to Deal With the Potential Issues that Are Likely to Arise Between the Japanese Managers and the German Workers Clearly, it is the responsibility of the Japanese manager to learn German language and adapt to their cultural norms in their workplace. However, this can be for longer time duration. In return, the German worker should not just expect the foreign managers to figure out things by themselves as this can be a setback in workplace. The human resources department in Japan can be of help by offering tips and suggestions on how these issues can be bridged. The area of suggestions can be as follows: Learn as much as you can about the culture of the Germans as cross-cultural literacy is critical to the success of every international business. Recognize the broad ethics diversity that exists within the different groups in the German workforce. There are different cultural groups in Germany (Danes, North Frisians, Sater Frisians, Sorbs, Sinti and Roma (Culturalpolicies.net, 2010). Therefore, there is the need for the managers to learn about these groups in order to recognize their ethnic diversities. Respect the staff differences, abilities and personalities. The managers should not just assume the Germans share common language or culture as that may not mean they are the same or alike. Stereotyping discounts individuals and can limit options for them in workplace. As getting to know the workers culture would be the first step to getting to know them as individuals. Consider having co-workers who will serve as mentors and coaches to help the managers adapt to the culture and vocabulary of the workplace. Feedbacks should be asked for and demonstrations should be used to ensure that complete understanding is achieved. Helping people to learn your language is another way to build trust and loyalty. Co-workers should be of help to prevent feelings of inadequacy and embarrassment when their superiors and co-workers cannot express themselves clearly and this can be done by being patient.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Effectiveness of conventional language therapy in stroke patients

Effectiveness of conventional language therapy in stroke patients Stroke is a major non-communicable disease of increasing socio-economic importance in aging populations. According to the world health organization (WHO) Global Burden of Disease report, stroke was the second leading cause of mortality worldwide in 1990 the third leading cause of mortality in developed countries, (1), causing approximately 4.4 million deaths worldwide. (2), the most recent estimates showed that in 2002, the number of deaths due to stroke reached 5.51 million worldwide, with two-thirds of these deaths occurring in developing countries. Stroke also is a major cause of long-term disability, has an enormous emotional socioeconomic impact on patient, families health services. Speech language problems are common sequelae of stroke that significantly impact the daily lives of stroke survivors. Reduced speech language skills have negative ramifications on the individuals social, vocational recreational activities, often leading to social isolation, loneliness. Given the importance of communication to the stroke survivors quality of life, it is essential that rehabilitation professionals recognized address the speech language disorders associated with stroke. Normal speech language is extraordinarily complex. A number of steps are required, some accomplished sequentially some in parallel that incorporate the following: Conceptualization of an idea generation of a communicative goal. Formulation of a grammatically structural sequence of verbal symbols (words), each consisting of an interacting set of ordered sounds. Selection of a series of neural commands (or) sensorimotor programs that will activate co articulated times, durations, intensities Central peripheral nervous system innervations of muscles of respiration, phonation, resonance, articulation to produce the intended acoustic signal. Stroke can disrupt any of the stages of speech language, resulting in one (or) more of the disorder of aphasia. Disruption to the initial stage involving the structure rules of the linguistic message results in aphasia. Aphasia has been defined as a multimodality language disorder resulting from damage to brain areas that sub serves the formulation understanding of language its components (i.e., phonology, syntax, morphology semantics). Brocas aphasia: It is a motor aphasia (or) non-fluent aphasia. In this type of aphasia, speech output is highly reduced and is limited mainly to short utterances of less than 4 words. The vocabulary access is limited and the sound formation by the patients with Brocas aphasia is often laborious and clumsy. The patient may understand speech relatively well and also be able to read, but be limited in writing. Brocas aphasia is often named as a non fluent aphasia due to the halting of the speech. Fluency: Non-fluent Slow effortful output Short phrase length (less than 4 words) Disrupted prosody of speech. Oral Expression: Agrammatism: Uses primarily substantive content words (nouns, verbs) with few functional words (pronouns, prepositions, articles), most sentences are simplified. May have an associated apraxia of speech. Auditory Comprehension: Relatively good comprehension except for sentences that involve syntactic complexity. Repetition: Poor. Restoration of normal communicational activities of patient is the primary goal of rehabilitation. To reach the aim the physiotherapist can use conventional language therapy and constraint induced language therapy. Conventional language therapy includes Exercise, Naming, Repetition, sentence completion, following the instructions of therapist and Conversation. The conventional language therapy helps the patient to relearn the simple communicable activities. Constraint induced language therapy includes Word Games like (i) Material constraint (use of minimal pairs), (ii) Shaping rule constraints (form sentences), (iii) Reinforcement constraints. The constraint induced language therapy helps the patient to improve the communicable activities. The combination of conventional language therapy and constraint induced language therapy would bring about excellent improvements in communicational activities. The commonly used parameter to evaluate the outcome of treatment procedures are the western aphasia battery. The parameter selected for this study is the western aphasia battery. The pre post test values of western aphasia battery will be computed in numbers for comparison. Thus the study intended to compare the effect of conventional language therapy versus conventional language therapy and constraint induced language therapy in improving the communicational activities of stroke patient. This study facilitates to find out the most effective treatment to improve the communicational activities of stroke patients in society at the earliest. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES AIM OF THE STUDY To compare the effectiveness of conventional language therapy versus conventional language therapy with constraint induced language therapy in the management of post ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY To determine the effectiveness of conventional language therapy in the management of post ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia. To determine the effectiveness of constraint induced language therapy in the management of post ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia. To determine the effectiveness of conventional language therapy versus conventional language therapy with constraint induced language therapy in the management of post ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia To find out the effective treatment regarding language functional status in post ischemic stroke Brocas aphsia. HYPOTHESIS NULL HYPOTHESIS The null hypothesis states that there was no any significant difference between conventional language therapy versus conventional language therapy with constraint induced language therapy in the management of post ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia. ALTERNATE HYPOTHESIS The alternate hypothesis states that there was significant difference between conventional language therapy versus conventional language therapy with constraint induced language therapy in the management of post ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia REVIEW OF LITERATURE 1. Pulvermuller F, et. al., (2001) Conducted a study on patients having chronic aphasia were assigned randomly to one group to receive either conventional language therapy or constraint induced language therapy. Patients in both groups received the same level of treatment (30 to 35 hours) as 10 days of massed practice language exercises for the CILT group ( 3 hours/day minimum; for 10 patients) or over a longer period of approximately 4 weeks for the conventional language therapy group ( 7 patients). CILT led to significant and pronounced improvements on approved clinical tests, on self-ratings, and on blinded observer readings of the patients communicative effectiveness in day to day life. Results suggest that the language skills of patients having chronic aphasia can be improved in a short course by the use of an appropriate massed practice method that focuses on the patients communicative needs. 2. Swearengin JA, et. al., (2006) Conducted a pilot study on a group of individuals with chronic aphasia. Here we compared treatment that required forced use of the language modality, CILT, to treatment allowing all modes of communication. Both treatments were administrated intensively, using the same therapeutic stimuli tasks. The results suggest that whereas both interventions yielded positive outcomes, but CILT group showed more consistent improvement on standard aphasia measures and clinician judgments of narrative discourse. Thus these results findings suggest that CILT intervention may be a viable approach to aphasia rehabilitation. 3. Jerzy P. Szaflarski et. al., Conducted a pilot study on three male patients with moderate to severe post-stroke aphasia. They received CILT 3-4 hours per day for 5 successive days. Pre and post testing included formal language evaluation, linguistic analysis of story retell and mini communication activity log. Results showed substantial improvements in comprehension and verbal skills. Thus the results indicate that the CILT is useful tool in language restoration in after stroke. 4. Meinzer M, et. al., (2005) Conducted a study on 27 patients with chronic aphasia received 30 hours of treatment over 10 days. 12 patients were trained with CILT program, for 15 patients the training included a module of written language and an additional training in everyday communication plus CILT. The outcome measures included standardized neurolinguistic testing. The results showed more pronounced and increased language function for patients of the group CILT plus. Thus this effective intervention can be successfully used in the rehabilitation of chronic aphasia patients. 5. Sanjit K. Bhogal BA et. al., Conducted a recent study on aphasic patients had determined that intense aphasia therapy (CILT)over a short period of time has greater impact on recovery than less intense therapy over a longer period of time. Thus this study examines other aspects of aphasia therapy that may be combined to facilitate recovery. Several areas of aphasia therapy have proven to be more effective than others. 6. Cynthia M. Shewan et. al., (2004) Conducted a study on aphasic patients who received one of three types of speech and language treatment was compared with that in aphasic patients who received no treatment. One hundred aphasic patients were followed from 2 to 4 weeks post on set for 1 year or until recovery, using a standardized test battery administered at systematic intervals. Both treatment methods were provided, while the method provided by trained nonprofessionals approached statistical significance. Small group size prevented resolution of the question of whether one type of treatment was superior to another. Thus the results show that language therapy improves the language status of aphasic patients. 7. Robert Teasell, MD et. al., Conducted a study on post stroke aphasic patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between the intensity of aphasia therapy and aphasia recovery. Alterations in mean scores from all studies were recorded. Intensity of the therapy was recorded in means of length of therapy, hours of the therapy provided per week, and the total hours of therapy provided. Pearson correlation was used to check the relationship between changes in average scores of outcome measures and the intensity of therapy. Studies that explained a significant treatment effect gave 8.8 hours of therapy per week for 11.2 weeks versus the negative studies that only gave 2 hours per week for 22.9 weeks. On a mean, positive studies provided a total of 98.4 hours of the therapy, whereas the negative studies provided 43.6 hours of the therapy. Total length of therapy time was judged to be inversely correlated with hours of therapy provided per week (P=0.003) and total hours of therapy given (P=0.001). To tal length of therapy was inversely correlated with mean changes in Porch Index of Communicative Abilities (PICA) scores (P=0.0001). The number of hours of therapy given in a week was significantly related to greater improvement on the PICA (P=0.001) and the Token Test (P=0.027). Total number of hours of therapy was significantly correlated with higher improvement on the PICA (P References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article. 8. Kelly H et. al., (2009) Conducted a study on person with aphasia. They identified 30 trials involving 1840 randomized participants that were suitable for inclusion in this review. Overall, the review shows evidence from randomized trials to suggest there may be a benefit from speech and language therapy. 9. Karyn pingel et. al., (2010) Conducted a study on 9 patients with chronic non fluent aphasia and the patients are selected by Nonrandomized control trial. One group is treated with constraint induced language therapy and next one is treated with conventional language therapy. Both groups received treatment 3h/d, 4d/wk for 2 consecutive weeks. The main outcome measure is Western aphasia battery, Boston Naming Test, Action Naming Test, and linguistic analyses. Although participants in both groups evinced positive outcomes post treatment, the results suggest that CILT subjects showed increased performance on more measures than the traditional subjects. 10. Lynn Maher et. al., (2008) Conducted a study on 48 patients with chronic aphasia. They are randomly assigned for this study. After the treatment session results suggest that individuals with chronic aphasia made substantial, measurable change on a language battery following intensive CILT in regarding with a standardized assessment tool. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of intensive, constraint induced language therapy (CILT) for individuals with chronic aphasia compared with traditional aphasia therapy. 11.loading please wait Berthier ML, et. al., (2009) Conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of both memantine and CILT on chronic post stroke aphasia. Patients were randomized into two groups for interventions after baseline evaluations. The main outcome measure is Western aphasia battery and communicative activity log. In accordance with Western aphasia battery and communicative activity log the best outcomes were achieved combining memantine with CILT subjects. 12.Anastasia Raymer et, al., (2009) Conducted a study on a small group of patients with aphasia to examine the effectiveness of constraint induced language therapy (CILT), in which they are received CILT. In contrast to other aphasia treatment approaches like conventional language therapy. In CILT improved verbal responses than conventional language therapy in accordance with a standardized measurement tool. It is indicated by increase in assessment score. The treatment is provided on an intensive schedule, up to three hours per day for five days per week. Thus the result was concluded that CILT was useful in rehabilitation of language function in aphasia. MATERIALS AND METHDOLOGY MATERIALS Couch. Chair. Pillow. Token. Picture cards. Western aphasia battery scoring sheet. METHODOLOGY Study Design Quasi Experimental Study Design. Study Setting The study was conducted at out patient department in J.K.K. Munirajah Medical Research Foundation College of Physiotherapy, Komarapalayam and District Head Quarters Hospital, Erode under the supervision of the concerned authorities Sampling Method Convenient sampling method. Sample Size Thirty patients with Ischemic Stroke Brocas aphasia, who comes under the inclusion criteria, were taken for the study. Study Duration The study was conducted for a course of 4 months (5 sittings per week). Inclusion Criteria Age group 40-60 years. Both sexes. Right-handed persons Primary Language is Tamil. Adequate hearing and vision to participate in language therapy Unilateral Left CVA involvement Moderate To moderately severe aphasia. Non-fluent aphasia Cognition > 11(MMSE). Exclusion Criteria Degenerative or Metabolic illness. Severe depression or psychiatric disorders. Brainstem stroke. Recurrent stroke History of other neurological impairment (e.g. dementia) Non-Tamil speaking Deaf and dumb Severe apraxia of speech. Parameters Western Aphasia Battery Token Test. Mini Mental State Examination Porch Index of Communicative Abilities (PICA). Technique: Conventional language therapy Exercises Naming Repetition Sentence completion Following instructions Conversations on patients interest topics Constraint induced language therapy Constraint means: Avoiding the use of compensatory strategies such as gesturing, drawing, writing etc. Forced use : Means communicating by talking, and Massed practice : Means 2 to 4 hrs of speech therapy a day. Word Games Material constraints Shaping and rule constraints Reinforcement contingencies Procedure A total number of 30 patients having Ischemic Stroke Brocas aphasia who met the inclusion criteria were recruited by convenient sampling method. After the informed consent obtained, they were partitioned into two groups as Group A and Group B, with 15 patients in each. Hence prior to the onset of treatment, pre-tests were conducted using Western Aphasia Battery and results were recorded for both groups. After a clarifying demonstration about Conventional language therapy, Group A subjects were subjected to Conventional language therapy with supervised for a period of 4 months. After a clarifying demonstration about Conventional Language Therapy with Constrained induced language therapy, Group B subjects were subjected to Conventional Language Therapy with Constrained induced language therapy for a period of 4 months. In the last session, a post test was conducted using Western Aphasia Battery and the results were recorded. In fine, the analysis of the recorded results was carried out for the purposes of comparing the pre-test Vs post-test results, in turn the treatment techniques. Statistical Tool The statistical tools used in the study were pairedt test and unpairedt test. Pairedt test: The pairedt test was used to find out the statistical significance between pre and post test of patients treated with Conventional Language Therapy and Constrained induced language therapy in Ischemic Stroke Brocas Aphasia separately. Formula: Pairedt test: s = t = d = difference between pre test Vs post test values = mean difference n = total number of subjects s = standard deviation. Unpaired t test: The unpaired t test was used to compare the statistically significant difference between Group A and Group B. Formula: Unpaired t test: s = t = n1 = total number of subjects in group A n2 = total number of subjects in group B = difference between pre test Vs post test of group A = mean difference between pre test Vs post test of group A = difference between pretest Vs post test of group B = mean difference between pre test Vs post test of group B s = standard deviation. DATA PRESENTATION TABLE -I S.No GROUP- A Conventional Language Therapy GROUP- B Conventional Language Therapy with Constraint Induced Language Therapy Pre-Test Post-Test Pre-Test Post-Test 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 44 46 42 43 45 44 43 44 49 50 43 44 42 45 45 63 61 69 61 65 65 60 66 70 73 67 66 62 68 69 45 45 42 44 43 50 49 44 43 43 45 43 42 46 44 75 73 75 80 81 80 73 75 75 80 72 80 75 81 82 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION This portion deals with the analysis and interpretation of the data collected from group A and Group B who underwent Conventional Language Therapy And Constraint induced Language therapy TABLE II Group A Table II represents the mean values, mean difference, standard deviation, and paired t value between pre test Vs post test values of Patient Rated Brocas Aphasia Evaluation for group A who have been subjected to Conventional Language Therapy. Western Aphasia Battery Mean Mean difference Standard deviation Paired t value Pre test 44.6 21.07 3 26.31 Post test 65.67 It shows the analysis of Brocas Aphasia Evaluation; the paired t value of pre Vs post sessions of group A was 26.31 at 0.05 level of significance, which was greater than the tabulated value of 2.15. This showed that there was a statistical significant difference in between pre Vs post test results. The pre test mean was 44.6, the post test mean was 65.67 and mean difference was 21.07, which showed that there was a decrease in Brocas Aphasia Evaluation in post test indicating the recovery of selected samples in response to intervention. Graph I -Western Aphasia Battery Evaluation of Group A Pre Post test values TABLE III Group B Table III represents the mean values, mean difference, standard deviation, and pairedt value of Brocas Aphasia Evaluation for group B, who have been subjected to Conventional Language Therapy And Constraint induced Language therapy Western Aphasia Battery Mean Mean difference Standard deviation Paired t value Pre test 44.53 32.6 4.29 29.41 Post test 77.3 Table III shows the analysis of Brocas Aphasia Evaluation; the pairedt value of pre Vs post sessions of group B was 29.41 at 0.05 level of significance, which was greater than the tabulated value of 2.15. This showed that there was a statistical significant difference in between pre Vs post test results. The pre test mean was 44.53, the post test mean was 77.13 and mean difference was 32.6, which showed that there was a decrease in Brocas Aphasia Evaluation in post test indicating the recovery of selected samples in response to intervention. Graph II Western Aphasia Battery Evaluation of Group B Pre Post test values TABLE IV Table IV represents the comparative mean values, mean difference, standard deviation, and unpairedt value between group A and group B on Brocas Aphasia Evaluation. Western Aphasia Battery Mean Mean difference Standard deviation Unpaired t value Group A 21.07 11.53 3.7 8.54 Group B 32.6 Table IV shows the analysis of group A and group B with Brocas Aphasia Evaluation. The unpairedt value of 8.54 was greater than the tabulated unpaired t value of 2.05 at 0.05 level of significance which showed that there was statistically significant difference between group A and group B. The mean value of group A was 21.07 and the mean value of group B was 32.6, and the mean difference was 11.53 which showed that there was a greater improvement in group B when compared to group A. Therefore, the study is rejecting the null hypothesis and accepting the alternate hypothesis. Graph III Mean difference of Group A and Group B Western Aphasia Battery DISCUSSION The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of Conventional language therapy versus Conventional language therapy with Constraint induced language therapy in improving language function in ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia. Based on Berthier ML. et.al., (2009) Karyn pingel et.al., (2010) Studies Western Aphasia Battery was selected as parameter in present study. In the analysis and interpretation of Language function in group A: The paired t value of 26.31 was greater than the tabulated paired t value of 2.15, which showed that there was statistically significant difference at 0.05 level of significance and 14 degrees of freedom between pre and post results. The pre test mean was 44.6, post test mean was 65.67 and mean difference was 21.07, which showed improvements regarding language functional status in response to Conventional language therapy after 4 months. In the analysis and interpretation of Language function in group B: The paired t value of 29.41 was greater than the tabulated paired t value of 2.15, which showed that there was statistically significant difference at 0.05 level of significance and 14 degrees of freedom between pre and post results. The pre test mean was 44.53, post test mean was 77.13 and mean difference was 32.6, which showed improvements regarding language functional status in response to Conventional language therapy with constraint induced language therapy after 4 months. The results of studies conducted by Jerzy P. Szarflarski.et.al., Meinzer M et.al., Anastasia Raymer, supported the present study in which Conventional language therapy with constraint induced language therapy was given. IN THE COMPARISON OF GROUP A AND GROUP B: In the analysis and interpretation of Language Function between group A and group B: In the analysis and interpretation of Language function, the unpairedt value of 8.54 which is greater than the tabulated t value of 2.05, at 0.05 level of significance and 28 degrees of freedom, which showed that there was statistically significant difference between the pre test Vs post test results of group A and group B. The mean value of group A was 21.07, mean value of group B was 32.6 and mean difference was 11.53 which showed that there was significant improvements regarding language functional status in group B compared to group A in response to treatment. Based on the statistical analysis and interpretation of the results, the present study showed that there was significant improvement regarding language functional status based on (increase) in Western Aphasia Battery in patients with Ischemic Stroke Brocas Aphasia treated with Conventional language therapy with onstraint induced language therapy. Therefore, the present study is accepting alternate hypothesis and rejecting null hypothesis. Reason for Improvements in Conventional Language Therapy It increases the efficiency and strength of language skills. In conventional language therapy regular exercise and practices are used. It helps to strengthen the weak muscles and to prevent it from further degeneration. Reactivation of the cortex was due to increased responsiveness of weak inputs from neighboring areas. It takes over of existing descending pathways from premotor and supplementary motor cortex which is involved in language control. It used to help a survivor of an aphasic regain his ability to talk, recognize voice patterns and regain the ability to relate words to images. It helps to regaining control over the voice cords is an important part of therapy. Reason for improvements in constraint induced language therapy Constraint induced language therapy is very intensive treatment with sessions lasting for up to 6 hours over the course of 10 days so it gives repeated stimulus to brain. Constraint induced language therapy principles are motivated by neuroscience insights about learning at the level of nerve cells (synaptic plasticity). So it helps to regain language skills. Constraint induced language therapy contrasts sharply with traditional therapy by the strong belief that mechanisms to compensate for lost language function should not be used unless absolutely necessary, even in everyday life. It make coupling between cortical systems for language and action in the human brain and it reverses the elements of learned disuse. It produces some reorganizational changes during language practice. Reason for improvements in conventional language therapy with constraint induced language therapy It enhances both parallel and hierarchical processing with in central nervous system which induced stored areas of the brain and it result in enhancing effective recovery. It consists of various throat and neck exercises, such as Cognitive Linguistic Therapy. Cognitive Linguistic Therapy concentrates on the patients emotions, coaching them on how to respond to tones of voice or words describing emotions, such as happy. It encourages the patients (constrained) to use their remaining verbal abilities to succeed in the communication game. Here the interaction is guided by communicative need in a language game context, picture cards, and the barriers making it impossible to see other players cards, and other materials, so that it induces active participation of patient. It is believed that CILT works by the mechanism of increased neuroplasticity. By constraining an individual to use only speech, it is believed that their brain can reestablish old neural pathways and recruit new neural pathways to compensate for lost function SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION SUMMARY The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of Conventional language therapy alone with combined effect of Conventional language therapy and constraint induced language therapy on language function in Ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia. A total number of 30 subjects with Ischemic stroke Brocas aphasia were selected by convenient sampling method after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then informed consents were obtained from subjects individually. Western Aphasia Battery was taken as the parameter. Pre test data were collected for group A and group B patients and computed. Group A patients were subjected to Conventional language therapy and Group B patients were subjected to Conventional language therapy and constraint induced language therapy for a period of 4 Months. The results of the same parameter were recorded for comparison after four months of treatment. The paired t test was used to compare the pre versus post test results of Group A and Group B separately. The unpaired t test was used to compare the mean difference of

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Their Eyes Were Watching God Essays - Janies Life and the Pear Tree :: Their Eyes Were Watching God Essays

Their Eyes Were Watching God - Janie's Life and the Pear Tree          Their Eyes Were Watching God is a story centered on the idea of life cycles.   The experiences that Janie faces and struggles through in her life represent the many cycles that she has been present for.   Each cycle seem to take place with the start of each new relation ship that she faces.   Each relationship that Janie is involved in not just marriages, blooms and withers away like the symbol of Janie's life the pear tree from her childhood.           Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Janie's Grandmother is the first bud on her tree.   She raised Janie since she was a little girl.   Her grandmother is in some respects a gardener pruning and shaping the future for her granddaughter.   She tries to instill a strong belief in marriage.   To her marriage is the only way that Janie will survive in life.   What Nanny does not realize is that Janie has the potential to make her own path in the walk of life.   This blinds nanny, because she is a victim of the horrible effects of slavery.   She really tries to convey to Janie that she has her own voice but she forces her into a position where that voice is silenced and there for condemning all hopes of her Granddaughter become the woman that she is capable of being.           Ã‚  Ã‚   The affect of Nanny is the marriage to her first of three husbands, Logan.   He is a man that sees no wife in his relationship with Janie he sees a worker.   The intelligence of Janie to realize this is a prime example of the capabilities that Janie possesses as an independent woman.   Logan is the pollution to Janie's tree of life.   He is good for one thing and that is delaying the inevitable; delaying Janie from realizing that she can be a woman with an inelegant thought not just a good house worker.   He prevents the self-sufficient woman in Janie from reaching its potential.         Ã‚  Ã‚   The next cycle is that of Joe Starks.   The role of this marriage is of a different nature.   Janie no longer is a house slave.   She chooses to take the role of a trophy wife in the times that this takes place in.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Margaret Laurences A Bird in the House Essay -- Laurence A Bird in th

Margaret Laurence's A Bird in the House Margaret Laurence's A Bird in the House differentiates itself from the four other novels that make up the 'Manawaka series' that has helped establish her as an icon of Canadian literature. It does not present a single story; instead, it is a compilation of eight well-crafted short stories (written between the years 1962 and 1970) that intertwine and combine into a single narrative, working as a whole without losing the essential independence of the parts. It tells - at least on a surface level - of the childhood of a young girl named Vanessa MacLeod , and of her trials and tribulations in the small Manitoban town of Manawaka. The narrative style of the stories is important, since it is through Vanessa's own eyes that we learn of her family and life - yet the eyes belong to an older, wiser Vanessa, remembering her own childhood from a future point years later. Laurence handles the narrative style quite cleverly; the experiences of the child-Vanessa are portrayed with all the innocence and naà ¯vety and shock that first accompanied them, yet are also tainted and clarified by the wisdom of the older-Vanessa. "... the narrator [becomes] Vanessa, the woman, who takes on the voice and attributes of the child she was and, at the same time, remains her present self, far older and wiser in compassion and understanding."1 It is the perspective of the older and wiser Vanessa that allows the reader to pick up on the important ideas, images, and themes that the author is trying to convey to us. A Bird in the House is far more than semi-autobiographical, is far more than the simple story of a young girl growing up in the prairies during the great Depression: it is a work of... ...e. The tightness of Laurence's weaving is remarkable: the symbols, the characters, and the characters are drawn together into a cohesive whole. "... the characters reflect the book's central metaphor and are thus symbolically interconnected [...] the stories chart how they are all caught up in parallel captivities and engaged in divergent flights." (Davidson 99) They are, indeed, all drawn together by the bird in the house. Works Cited 1. qtd. in Davidson, Arnold E. "Cages and Escapes in Margaret Laurence's A Bird in the House." University of Windsor Review 16 (1981): 95. 2.Margaret Laurence, A Bird in the House (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1970), 43. All further references are to this edition and are included in my text. 3. Jon Kertzer, "That House in Manawaka": Margaret Laurence's A Bird in the House (Toronto: ECW Press, 1992), 57.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Gay Marriage Opinion Essay

Mainwaring goes on to argue that because â€Å"Only a little more than 53%† of the signers were Republican, and the rest an assortment of parties, gay marriage is a â€Å"common, mainstream concern†, to be shared among citizens of all backgrounds. Mainwaring defends the signers of this petition, stating that because they signed an anti-gay marriage petition, their actions cannot be chalked up to homophobic motives. He says that â€Å"the vast majority simply view ‘marriage’ as an immutable term that can only apple to heterosexuals†, and that â€Å"’we’ shouldn’t mess with [the term marriage]†. I mentioned before that Mainwaring’s opinion on this topic is considerably unique. This is because he himself is, in fact, gay. It was not only the fact that Mainwaring decided to mention this, but also the juxtaposition of this statement that was mildly infuriating to me. To me, placing the fact that he is gay directly after his statements defending the people who signed the petition is a bit like an African-American saying â€Å"I think blacks should be subject to a lower standard of living than whites†¦and it’s okay for me to think this because I’m black!If a black person were to say this today, this would be considered socially unacceptable from nearly every person in this country, and it should be the same for Mainwaring and all other gays. It’s extremely difficult for me to even begin to wrap my head around how Mainwaring can even have this opinion. How he can blatantly undermine the oppressed minority he has categorized himself into, simply be cause â€Å"we should not attempt to force into an old construct something that was never meant for same-sex partnerships† is appalling. Mainwaring believes that simply because the term â€Å"marriage† has meant one thing for the past two hundred years, it simply cannot be open to interpretation, like many other dated laws. So many different sections of the constitution have been twisted and bent toward various opinions, just as the following should be. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. The argument that Mainwaring is trying to make is ill-supported and weak. It is less credible that the late 1920’s â€Å"Separate but Equal† mantra, considering civil unions, which Mainwaring proposes for gays, are in no way even close to being equal to a â€Å"traditional† marriage. Before the Civil Rights Movement, many people were raised to believe that blacks were meant to be inferior. However, as awareness arose, people began to realize that this simply is not true; under the eyes of the law, there should be virtually no difference between a black person and a white person. Likewise, there should be no difference between a gay or a straight couple. A civil union is in no way a reasonable alternative for gays, and if us as Americans were to make that statement the new â€Å"traditional†, there one day in the future may be no limits on the term â€Å"marriage†.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Different Types of Workers’ Compensation Plans

The four types of Workers’ Compensation plans are: Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, Federal Employees’ Compensation Program, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program, and the Black Lung Benefits Program. Each of these programs helps serve the employees of these specific groups when they are injured during a workplace accident. Each of these programs provide medical care, cash benefits for lost wages, rehabilitation, and other benefits to those who are injured as a result of an on the job injury. The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program went into effect on July 31, 2001. It provides benefits to those who have developed cancer or other serious illness due to exposure to radioactive materials while working. The Federal Employees’ Compensation Program provides benefits to employees that are employed by the federal government. The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program provides benefits for those employed in the maritime field. The Black Lung Benefits Program provides benefits to those that work in coal mines under the Black Lung Benefits Act. There are also two types of State Workers’ Compensation Plans. Each state has its own Workers’ Compensation plans. Coverage varies from state to state. All the states however, provide two types of Workers’ Compensation benefits. One of the benefits covers the employees’ medical expenses that resulted from an on the job injury. The other benefit compensates the employee for the wages he or she lost during the time he or she was unable to work. They will pay these wages until they are able to return to work. It is necessary to have federal and state compensation plans to make sure the employees are covered. It is against the law to have employees without offering Workers’ Compensation. It is best to have both because each state has different regulations. An employer needs to make sure they are covered 100%.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Values and Ethics in America Case Study

BA 3102 – Summer 2, 2012 Video Case Assignment â€Å"End Game: Values and Ethics in America† 1. The most ethical decision is if she turns left into town and report the accident to the police. Even if she turns herself in and jeopardizes to lose her school-funding grant, she knows she did the right thing and her conscious is clean. She caused a fatal accident that killed the other driver, which means she must report to the police. If she doesn’t, then her friend should turn her in and help her for the long run. Human moral and ethical values are more important then the award for the school grant and reputation in the company.In the Deckop Chapter article-â€Å"Theoretical Bases for Analyzing the Ethics of a Decision†, it compares the utilitarianism and universalism theories. It states that utilitarianism is regarding â€Å"the greatest good for the greatest number and the ends justify the means†. It’s not ethical to disregard the law and serve the greater good. If she was killed in a deadly car accident, I’m sure she would want someone to report her death to the police who would later notify her loved ones. Running away from an accident is not only unethical, but is also a crime and there is no justification for it.The consequences of fleeing a crime scene is more severe than turning yourself in. â€Å"The pressures of a situation may cause one to apply self-serving biases that while in the short-run appear acceptable, in the long-run result in damage to one’s firm, career or self in terms of staying true to ethical principals and human morals†(Desktop, 2008). I strongly agree with this statement. If she won’t report to the police, and deny what she did, she would be living with her guilt knowing she knew what was the right thing to do, but she made the wrong decision.By knowing she is responsible for someone’s life and didn’t notify anybody, in the long run, it will destroy her emotionally (guilt, depression or even suicide). 2. I think I made the right choice for Julia because either way she would have had to face the consequences. If she turns herself into the police, most likely she would get arrested for drinking and driving. She would possibly lose her school-funding grant that all her students dependent on her. She would also lose her reputation as being a good teacher, but one thing she would be acknowledged for is that she was honest and admitted for her action.However, if she don’t turn herself in, she would have to live on the rest of her life guilty knowing she hided the truth. In the long run the truth will be revealed. Part 3 doesn’t change anything for me, because I knew that the follow-up would be that she would hide the truth in order not to damage her reputation in the school, along with not letting her students down. Running away from reality is always easier then facing the truth and admitting for our wrongdoings. Many comp anies think they can get away with fraud or unethical decision-making, until they either get caught or they turn themselves in.You need to know where to draw the line between personal responsibility and accountability. 3. My decision in question 1 is more consistent with universalism then utilitarianism because universalism focuses on ethical decision making, assuming the decision-maker is following the right morals and values. For example, Julia should report to the police and turn herself in, just as if her loved ones would like to know if she was in a fatal car accident and who is responsible for her death.Also the universalism theory states that everybody is equal and moral ethics apply to everyone no matter what background or culture you are from. Universal ethics explains which behaviors are right or wrong. These ethical standards apply to everybody worldwide. It’s something that a virtuous person is supposed to adhere to and believe in, just like manners that you learn from home. Most manners are universal, though some vary from culture to culture. As a result, I strongly agree with the universalism decision-making tool.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Plato and Baudrillard Essay

The central argument of Plato’s Republic is that the just life is preferable to the unjust one. Socrates argues this point against his friends, who put up various objections to the thesis. The principal objection concerns appearances; because it is apparent to all that the unjust dissimulator reaps the fruits of the world, while the just and virtuous person, who refuses to compromise with the world, suffers poverty, rejection and general hardship. The argument of Socrates proceeds along the lines that appearances are liable to deceive. In Book 7 the argument has strayed into epistemology. Here again the argument of Socrates is that material knowledge is deceptive. In order to make this point he gives us a vivid and extended analogy of the cave-dwellers. The dwellers of this cave are sitting facing the wall of the cave, and their heads are constricted so that they must always be gazing at the wall, not being able to turn their heads at all. Behind them there is a fire, and between the fire and the dwellers a road. There are bearers who carry objects and walk along the road. The shadows of the objects, as well as those of the bearers, fall on the cave wall, and this is what the dwellers see, and is the sum of their visual knowledge. Plato is arguing that in the phenomenal world our knowledge is constrained. That we cannot reach the essence of things, and that our knowledge must be content with the hazy shadows of things. Because such knowledge is so incomplete, it is liable to produce error in our judgment of things. But Plato is not promoting skepticism. He extends the analogy to suggest that we may come to know the essence of things, but this is only after we have been released from the bondage of material existence. He goes on to consider the condition of the cave-dwellers once they have been released from their constraints. They see the objects with their profusion of detail, and the clarity overwhelms them, so that they refuse to accept the objects themselves as real, and instead insist that the shadows on the wall were more real. In the next stage of their enlightenment they are guided to outside the cave, and then they see things with the greatest clarity of all, and this by the light of the sun. Eventually they come to the understanding that all light originates in the sun. The suggestion that Plato makes is that there is indeed clarity of knowledge, and that it lies beyond the realm of the material and of appearance. The possibility itself is the saving grace of man. The preserve of wisdom is the shelter that man seeks as he stumbles through the morass of error. The Allegory of the Cave is highly pertinent to how Jean Baudrillard pictures modern society. In his essay â€Å"Simulations and Simulacra† he contends that modern society has lost all referential links to reality, and has supplanted reality with an artificial construct, which he terms â€Å"hyperreality†.   In terms of Plato’s allegory, the shadows on the wall become the starting points on which to construct a comprehensive reality. In Baudrillard’s general epistemology, all knowledge necessarily deals with the signification of things, and never with the essence of the things themselves. These units of knowledge are â€Å"signs†. A sign has no meaning in itself, but derives all meaning through its reference to all other signs. Therefore it has â€Å"self-referential† meaning only. True and total meaning can only emerge when the references have been taken to all other possible signs. But the finite capacity of man precludes this possibility, even though he always strives for total meaning, in order to overcome his limitation. He constructs simulacra, i.e. models that combine the signs in logical formulations, and meant to represent reality by similitude. But this is a doomed endeavor. The message of Baudrillard is no different from that of Plato. The shadows on the cave walls are merely signs of the real presences. Yet the cave dwellers are forced to build all reality from these shadows, and commit error if they try to limit reality to the shadows. The stress of Baudrillard is not on the possibility of true understanding, which nevertheless is tacit in his philosophy. He is more intent on pointing out that modern society has fallen into grave error by â€Å"the cartographer’s mad project of an ideal coextensivity between the map and the territory† (Baudrillard 170). The result in Western societies has been a â€Å"precession of simulacra† (Ibid 169). The original project, as taking place in the Age of Enlightenment, is the construction of simulacra, which he likens to maps which are meant to be co-extensive with reality, because atomic level detail is strived for.    The next stage is second-order simulacra, where the original simulacra tend to be copied, instead of taking reality as the first reference point. But the plight of modern society is even more serious than this, for here we have arrived at third order simulacra. This is when the signs are employed in order to simulate reality, so that all reference to the original is severed, and now it is â€Å"the map that precedes the territory† (Ibid). Because it is so Baudrillard claims that reality has been effaced for the dwellers of modern society, and has been replaced by â€Å"hyperreality†. In this completely simulated existence there is no room for advance any more, but only a meaningless spinning around of fads and fashions, or â€Å"the orbital recurrence of models and the simulated generation of difference† (Ibid 170). It is natural that Baudrillard emphasizes the plight of modern society. In Plato we find the seduction of material knowledge, and the consequences are to be imagined. Baudrillard is confronting the consequence face to face, because material knowledge has transpired as a social norm. This is why Plato is more concerned with telling us the possibility of true knowledge, whereas Baudrillard gives us a physiology of the false, because he sees it extant before him. Works Cited Baudrillard, Jean. Jean Baudrillard: Selected Writings. Translated by Jacques Mourrain. Palo Alto: Stanford University Press, 2001.